Sterling Silver Jewelry

Pearls: a symbol of elegance and beauty for you

Pearls are named as the “Queen of Gems” according to their elegance look. It is a favorite gem for many royal families and celebrities since the past to present time. It is also known as “Tears of the Sea” according to its origin, for the oysters in the sea. According to its origin, it is also said that there is no two identical pearls. This uniqueness has made pearls as a symbol of elegance and beauty for everybody for such a long time.

To date, there are two types of pearls; freshwater pearls and sea pearls. There are variety on both shape and color for these two pearl types. However, both of them are present their elegant look in their own ways which lead to the unique look when its come to jewelry maker. With their unique look, jewelry maker can use them to create the perfect jewelry piece that will remain in people memory for eternally. As you can see in the history, since Queen Elizabeth I of England, everybody who studied in history know for her obsession for pearls. Then, Princess Diana was also well-known as the pearl lover, apart from her love on Diamonds. Queen Elizabeth II and Elizabeth Taylor are also other famous persons who were falling in love with pearls.

Pearls can be use either for normal event like your everyday jewelry or for special event like the wedding for a perfect wedding jewelry for the bride. It is quite common idea for giving a white pearl jewelry will bring the happiness to the marriage couples. Therefore, white pearl is used as a symbol for happy marriage to the new groom and bride for many countries. Not only for the wedding occasion, pearls can be a perfect gift for anniversary ceremony for any couples as well. Not only from its elegant and beauty look, but also because of this meaning that make pearls become one of the popular timeless gemstone. Pearl jewelry is also a perfect gift for graduations, Valentine and birthday for anyone you love. Just go with the designs that perfectly match with the occasions. The beauty and elegance look of pearls will totally present your feeling who get this special present for sure.

Nothing is wrong with the simulated pearl

Pearls are in the list for human fashion decoration items since the ancient times. The natural colors of pearls are attracted people attention in its own way. However, the natural pearl need long time to process and finish, therefore culture pearl has been invented to fulfill human pearl requirement. Both processes allow us to have the natural pearls with its natural glowing beauty that easy catch people heart. However, the demand for using pearl (both natural made and cultured pearls) in the jewelry world is still too high. With limiting in pearls natural supply, as cultured pearls still need time to process and generate, the other technique has been applied to mimic the nature pearls instead. This pearl type is called simulated pearls.

The first invention on simulated pearl was dated back to the first century in Chinese history. It was recorded in the book of Wand Chhung in the year 83 A.D. who wrote about the process of making pearls from some chemical solutions. At that time, cultured pearl has not been invented yet and real pearls were very rare and very expensive. The use of the right mix of chemicals with proper timing and heating method was record for the first success of simulated pearl in the world.

Later on, in the 17^th century, a French rosary maker has developed the coating method for simulated pearls. Jacquin used the shimmer of fish scales to created a chemical substance called “essence d’orient” for using in simulated pearls process. With this essence d’orient coated on glass beads followed by wax filling, simulated pears were generated with similar look as real pearl. However, the material for “essence d’orient” required high number of fish harvesting for their fish scales. Therefore, the technique for simulated pearls has been developed using pearl films instead. Varieties of materials are also used for simulated pearls; plastic beads, glass or shells.

There is nothing wrong with simulated pearls as the main purpose is to fulfill people requirement on using pearls. With the technique today, the well-made versions can simulate the beauty look of natural pearls for you. Just beware for the pearl you are going for, whether it’s simulated pearls or natural pearls. You do not want to pay the same price of natural and simulated pearls, right? Check for its origin before make your decision to go with them.

Terms for pearls -Treatment and Imitation

The terms ‘treatment’ and ‘imitation’ in the world of pearl give in different results. The treatment is referred to man’s actions that effect to pearl appearance for both natural and culture pearls. The term imitation is referred to the different materials use as pearls, even it’s not the real one.

One of the oldest types of imitation pearls was made the white beads made by mother of pearls. You can tell the difference between real pearl and imitation pearl by look at the pearl surface structure. The imitation pearls has smooth surface which is in contrast with natural and cultured pearls. You can use a 10x lens to confirm these differences.

The term ‘treatments’ for pearls referred to the method improving their appearances for both natural and cultured pearl. The work on pearl treatment is really done on the real pearl, not the imitation pearls. There are actually many steps involved in pearls treatment.

1. Bleaching: this process is directly effect to pearl color pigment. Time is required to complete the whole process, usually about 7-60 days. After the process, pearls will become all white for their gorgeous look.

2. Pink coloration: this treatment will follow the bleaching step. The pink overtone is applied to pearls in this step. This treatment is widely used for pearls in jewelry market and the process is also acceptable as long as the overtone is permanently attached to pearls.

3. Polishing:  this step is involved with the use of bee’s wax, tiny piece s of walnut shell or strips of cork for pearl’s polishing. After the step, luster of pearls will be enhanced for their great looking.

4. Dyeing: this step is done by the use of silver salt; silver nitrate was actually used since the end of 19^th century. Pearls are immersed into diluted silver nitrate solution for several days to several months in the dark room, follow by hydrogen sulphate treatment to complete the dyeing process. When the process finish, you will get dark pearls, brownish or grayish hues pearls depend on time of silver absorption.

5. Irradiation: using gamma ray will change the color of pearls to silvery grey, grayish brown or black. However, the black pearls are rarely found according to this process.

With the treatment technique, the appearance of pearls is enhanced for their beauty. You can now able to enjoy the beauty of pearls.

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